Chapter 375: Award Presenter

The Shanghai International Film Festival has truly become a joke in China now.

Guo Guo Jingming defeated many professional directors and won Best New Director, which isn't much.

The key is that Yang Mi, Guo Guo Caijie, Guo Biting, and others defeated Feng Feng Yuanzheng, Qin Qin Hailu, Liu Ye, Shen Shen Aojun, and a host of Yanji Sect actors, securing Best Film for "The Little Era."

In the film industry, this is undoubtedly a huge joke.

If they'd merely lost by a narrow margin, losing to "The Little Era" would be forgivable.

But this isn't a narrow loss—just by the actors' names, you know they're ten thousand miles apart!

"Chairman Han, the Shanghai International Film Festival is beyond saving—it's probably the worst Class-A film festival in the world."

The Golden Jin Award in the main competition is forever reserved for unknown foreign films, while all other categories are just chaotic nonsense!"

Lin Nan spoke bluntly, venting.

Huang Huang Xiaoming, Zhang Zhang Hanyu, Fan Li Bingbing, Tong Tong Liya, and everyone else remained silent.

This topic is too high-level; Lin Nan is a major director, so cursing a bit is fine, but they can't.

Han Han Sanping was momentarily speechless, shaking his head and sighing:

"Sigh, the national situation is what it is; Shanghai really went too far this time…"

One can only say Han Han Sanping is worthy of being Chairman of China Film Group—this response gave the Shanghai International Film Festival ample face.

Moreover, this line of reasoning is a universal remedy, seemingly usable anywhere.

…

That night, Lin Nan held the fragrant Miss Liu, sleeping peacefully—just sleeping.

He felt he needed to exercise restraint, for future happiness.

The next morning.

The Hu Hu Bayi Studio team of nearly thirty people inspected the ammunition, explosive packs, and shoulder-fired rocket launchers for filming.

At first glance, it truly gave the impression of an imminent battlefield.

Several cameras had already been mounted on tracks.

Professional matters are left to professionals, especially for scenes like this full-scale war.

Lin Dao Nan, along with monitors and equipment, stayed far away, with Liu Liu Yifei and Han Jia_nv beside him.

Watching this modern war scene live, both girls found it thrilling.

Lin Nan held a megaphone and shouted, "Action!"

From the snow-covered forest far away, a large group of armed "bandits" emerged.

Led by Da Jin Gang, Wu Jin Gang, and Liu Jin Gang on horseback, they advanced toward this position.

Lin Nan estimated this scene would take the entire day to film.

After our side nodded in signal, the homemade "cannons" began loading explosive packs.

With a "Boom—," twenty to thirty bandits were "blown flying" in unison.

This war sequence officially entered its climax.

To be honest, Lin Nan had never directed such a scene before—it looked genuinely thrilling, thankfully, Hu Hu Bayi's team was incredibly capable!

Liu Liu Yifei and Han Jia_nv each held a pair of binoculars, watching the distance with excited expressions.

"The landing points of these explosive packs are calculated very accurately!" Han Jia_nv muttered.

"Obviously—they make their living off this."

Lin Nan chuckled and teased.

Though all were professionals, he still had the crew purchase commercial insurance for every extra participating in this war scene, just in case.

Although the homemade "cannons" had eliminated some bandits, their numbers were too great—they still stormed into the village.

At this point, Lin Nan called "Cut!"

With so many extras, the scenes needed reorganization.

"Cinematography team, pay attention: close-ups must feature Huang Huang Xiaoming as Shao Shao Jianbo, Xie Miao as the sniper, Luo Jin as the limping Gao Bo, Tong Tong Liya as Little White Pigeon—all combat scenes."

"Da Jin Gang personally carries the rocket launcher for a surprise attack; in the end, only you and Liu Jin Gang, as the two leaders, escape with a few men."

"Luan Ping, the captured liaison officer, also slips away in the chaos, heading straight for Mount Mount Weihu to expose Yang Yang Zirong…"

After Lin Nan and Guo Fan spent half an hour clarifying the scenes for everyone, filming resumed.

Thus, gunfire and cannon fire rang out all morning.

At noon, everyone quickly ate the hotel-delivered boxed meals, rested in makeup for an hour and a half, then resumed filming.

Again, gunfire and explosions echoed through the mountains until past three in the afternoon, when the first principal actor wrapped.

Luo Jin, portraying the limping Gao Bo who secretly loved Little White Pigeon, was struck in the neck by a flying dagger and killed instantly.

This shot will require VFX in post-production.

The bandits fled; the liaison officer also slipped away in the chaos.

While cleaning up, facing Luo Jin's "corpse," Tong Tong Liya's crying scene was excellent—her delicate makeup, flushed cheeks, tears like pear blossoms in the rain.

"Cut!"

The day's filming ended.

"Luo Jin, congratulations, you're wrapped."

Everyone knew Luo Jin was Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei's classmate and had a good relationship with them—they all rushed over.

"Wrapped with good fortune."

"Wrapping at three-fifths of the shoot isn't bad," Luo Jin said casually.

Standing beside the recently filmed battle site, Luo Jin took a group photo with everyone present; he planned to fly back to the capital that night.

"Heading back so soon? Is your girlfriend waiting at home? Do you even have a girlfriend?"

Lin Nan tossed off a casual joke; Luo Jin smiled and offered no rebuttal.

In less than an hour, the online news broke.

"Following Jiang Wu, Luo Jin has successfully wrapped filming on the set of 'Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy'."

The accompanying photo was the group shot Luo Jin, Lin Nan, and others had posted on Weibo.

……

'Zhao Zhao Jingzhong Loyal Yue Fei' will air directly on satellite television, premiering simultaneously on four satellite channels on July 4th.

As the lead actor, Huang Huang Xiaoming must return now to attend the premiere gala hosted by the major production companies.

Lin Nan is one of the production companies as well; he truly cannot stop him.

"Tomorrow we will shoot the scene where Yang Yang Zirong and Luan Ping confront each other at Mount Mount Weihu. The day after tomorrow is a rest day.

You and Luo Jin can travel together shortly; you must return by the evening of the day after tomorrow at the latest."

Hearing Lin Nan's words, Huang Huang Xiaoming immediately said:

"Lin Dao, rest assured. After attending the premiere gala, I will not stay a moment longer and will fly back immediately."

"Haha, there's no need to rush so much; just return on time."

The reason Lin Nan planned a day of rest was not only because Huang Huang Xiaoming had to return for the premiere gala of 'Zhao Zhao Jingzhong Loyal Yue Fei'.

There was also the matter of Shu Chang; she would come to visit the set tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow would be a perfect day to relax, so Lin Nan simply gave the entire crew a day off.

……

At eight o'clock in the evening, news indeed appeared online that Huang Huang Xiaoming and Luo Jin had been blocked at the Capital Airport.

Facing all the reporters' questions regarding 'Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy', they answered none of them.

When asked about 'Red Sorghum', Jiang Teacher Wenli, and Huang Dong Xuan, the two gave a unified response: "Filming on set, haven't heard anything."

That film, 'The Machine: The Legend of the Three Kingdoms', has completely fizzled out, but it still made money.

"'The Machine: The Legend of the Three Kingdoms' has been in theaters for 10 days, with a total box office of 298 million; daily box office has dropped to over 200,000, potential exhausted!"

"Produced by Light Media, the film 'Unbeatable God' held its premiere in Beijing today; one of the Four Young Leading Ladies, Liu Liu Shishi, attended in full regalia..."

"Jointly produced by Light Pictures and Lin Nan Pictures, the film 'The Breakup Guru', directed by and starring Deng Chao, has finished casting. The female lead will be Yang Mi, head of the Four Young Leading Ladies. Filming is expected to begin in early October..."

"With the premiere of 'Tiny Times' imminent, the newly crowned Best Director Guo Guo Jingming cried to the media, hoping the industry would show more tolerance and understanding."

"Guo Guo Jingming stated bluntly that 'Tiny Times' is a work of his lifeblood, a good film, and winning the Best Picture award is well-deserved..."

……

When Lin Nan came out of the shower, it was exactly eight o'clock in the evening; Miss Liu was already asleep.

Having listened to the sound of gunfire and cannon fire all day, and having been excited with Han Jia all day, she was indeed tired.

The mobile phone on the table was lit up; there was a call.

Lin Nan picked up the phone and saw the caller ID was Li An.

"Hello, Li Dao?"

"Lin Dao, sorry to disturb you. How is the filming of 'Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy' going?"

To be honest, Lin Nan could guess what this was about. After winning the award at the Golden Horse last year, this favor had to be returned this year.

"It's fine; filming is going smoothly. Li Dao, this call shouldn't just be about asking after my health, right? Haha..."

Li An on the other end of the line also laughed.

"Lin Dao guessed correctly; it is that matter I mentioned to you during last year's Golden Horse Awards."

Lin Nan sighed inwardly; as expected.

"Tell me the specifics, Li Dao. Anyway, I definitely don't have a film to bring over."

"How about a member of the Final Jury?"

Lin Nan was genuinely a bit surprised; they were inviting him to be a member of the jury right off the bat.

However, Lin Nan had no real interest in this because it was too time-consuming.

The Final Jury was the segment that ultimately decided the awards; one had to stay there from the opening ceremony until the closing ceremony.

"That's not what you said last year," Lin Nan said tactfully.

"Haha, of course I hope Lin Dao can come to serve as a member of the Final Jury."

Lin Nan still did not agree:

"How about being a Guest Presenter? Li Dao might have forgotten; my film 'The Invisible Guest' has been nominated for the Oscars. In November, I will be very busy; the film needs publicity..."

This reason was impeccable and was indeed one of the reasons Lin Nan refused.

Hearing Lin Nan's words, Li An instantly caught on.

"My fault, my fault; I was truly careless.

Then let it be Guest Presenter. I also wish Lin Dao a satisfactory result on this Oscar journey."

"Thank you, Li Dao; I borrow your auspicious words."

After chatting for a few more minutes, both parties hung up the phone.

Lin Nan shook his head slightly. "Favors, eh."

…………

(End of Chapter)